Multivariable optimization of carbon nanoparticles synthesized from waste facial tissues by artificial neural networks, new material for downstream quenching of quantum dots

In this study, water-soluble carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) were synthesized by using waste facial tissue as a non-recyclable waste and the efficiency of CNPs in quenching mechanism of cadmium-telluride quantum dots (QDs) was investigated. In addition, CNPs synthesis was modeled by using artificial neural networks (ANN). To find the optimum model, ANN was trained by using different algorithms. Then, the generated models were statistically assessed and subsequently, the capability of the selected model for predicting the mean diameter size of the nanoparticles was verified. Based on the results, the model GA-4-7-1 had the most optimal statistical characteristics. Furthermore, the most pronounced effect on mean diameter size was associated to HNO3 concentration while temperature demonstrated the least influence. Moreover, the quenching study confirmed the capability of the synthesized CNPs in quenching QDs

Pretreatment of lignocelluloses for enhanced biogas production: A review on influencing mechanisms and the importance of microbial diversity

Received 13 August 2019; Received in revised form 10 July 2020; Accepted 28 July 2020, Available online 11 August 2020.As one of the most efficient methods for waste management and sustainable energy production, anaerobic digestion (AD) countenances difficulties in the hydrolysis of lignocelluloses biomass. Different pretreatment methods have been applied to make lignocelluloses readily biodegradable by microorganisms. These pretreatments can affect biogas yield by different mechanisms at molecular scale, including changes in chemical composition, cellulose crystallinity, degree of polymerization, enzyme adsorption/desorption, nutrient accessibility, deacetylation, and through the formation of inhibitors. The present article aims at critically reviewing the reported molecular mechanisms affecting biogas yield from lignocelluloses via different types of pretreatments. Then, a new hypothesis concerning the impact of pretreatment on the microbial community developed (throughout the AD process from an identical inoculum) was also put forth and was experimentally examined through a case study. Four different leading pretreatments, including sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, aqueous ammonia, and sodium carbonate, were performed on rice straw as model lignocellulosic feedstock. The results obtained revealed that the choice of pretreatment method also plays a pivotally positive or negative role on biogas yield obtained from lignocelluloses through alteration of the microbial community involved in the AD. Considerable changes were observed in the archaeal and bacterial communities developed in response to the pretreatment used. Sodium hydroxide, with the highest methane yield (338 mL/g volatile solid), led to a partial switch from acetoclastic to the hydrogenotrophic methane production pathway. The findings reported herein undermine the default hypothesis accepted by thousands of previously published papers, which is changes in substrate characteristics by pretreatments are the only mechanisms affecting biogas yield. Moreover, the results obtained could assist with the development of more efficient biogas production systems at industrial scale by offering more in-depth understanding of the interactions between microbial community structure, and process parameters and performance

Potential of Acid-Activated Bentonite and SO3H-Functionalized MWCNTs for Biodiesel Production From Residual Olive Oil Under Biorefinery Scheme

Application of acid-activated bentonite and SO3H-functionlized multiwall carbon nanotubes (SO3H-MWCNTs) for lowering free fatty acids (FFAs) content of low-quality residual olive oil, prior to alkali-catalyzed transesterification was investigated. The used bentonite was first characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Inductively Coupled Plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and was subsequently activated by different concentrations of H2SO4 (3, 5, and 10 N). Specific surface area of the original bentonite was measured by Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) method at 45 m2/g and was best improved after 5 N-acid activation (95–98°C, 2 h) reaching 68 m2/g. MWCNTs was synthesized through methane decomposition (Co-Mo/MgO catalyst, 900°C) during the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. After two acid-purification (HCl, HNO3) and two deionized-water-neutralization steps, SO3H was grafted on MWCNTs (concentrated H2SO4, 110°C for 3 h) and again neutralized with deionized water and then dried. The synthesized SO3H-MWCNTs were analyzed using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The activated bentonite and SO3H-MWCNTs were utilized (5 wt.% and 3 wt.%, respectively), as solid catalysts in esterification reaction (62°C, 450 rpm; 15:1 and 12:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio, 27 h and 8 h, respectively), to convert FFAs to their corresponding methyl esters. The results obtained revealed an FFA to methyl ester conversion of about 67% for the activated bentonite and 65% for the SO3H-MWCNTs. More specifically, the acid value of the residual olive oil was decreased significantly from 2.5 to 0.85 and 0.89 mg KOH/g using activated bentonite and SO3H-MWCNTs, respectively. The total FFAs in the residual olive oil after esterification was below 0.5%, which was appropriate for efficient alkaline-transesterification reaction. Both catalysts can effectively pretreat low-quality oil feedstock for sustainable biodiesel production under a biorefinery scheme. Overall, the acid-activate bentonite was found more convenient, cost-effective, and environment-friendly than the SO3H-MWCNTs

Sustainable economic growth potential of biomass-enriched countries through bioenergy production: State-of-the-art assessment using product space model

The current study aims to examine the economically viable biomass feedstocks for bioenergy generation and their export potential. The Product Space Model (PSM) is the primary tool used to achieve the aim by accomplishing certain objectives. The study’s findings show that Pakistan has abundant biomass resources for energy production. Canola oil, leather flesh wastes, and poultry fattening show the highest PRODY values, 46,735, 44,438, and 41,791, respectively. These have high-income potential and are considered feasible for export after meeting local energy demand. While goat manure, cashew nutshell, and cotton stalk show lower income potential having values of 3,641, 4,225, and 4,421, respectively. The biowastes having low-income potential are more beneficial to utilize in energy generation plants within the country. The United States is observed to make the most sophisticated products, indicated by an EXPY value of 36296.89. While the minimum level of sophistication is observed for Indonesia, as revealed by its EXPY value of 22235.41 among all considered countries. The PSM policy map analysis of the current study shows that Pakistan and Argentina are located in the Parsimonious Policy quadrant, suggesting shifting toward unexploited products closely related to the existing export baskets. Although the United States, China, India, Indonesia, and Brazil are found in the most desired Let-it-be Policy quadrant. They have more room to diversify their industries and enhance their export potential. The study has practical applications in economic, social, and environmental perspectives, focusing on economic, clean, and sufficient energy. Furthermore, exportable biomass feedstocks are identified to strengthen the economy. Further research must be conducted to evaluate other indicators of the PSM to explore the proximity aspect of PSM, as it would provide a clearer picture of bioenergy and biomass export prospects

The critical role of advanced sustainability assessment tools in enhancing the real-world application of biofuels

Sustainability has become of paramount importance in the biofuel industry. Accordingly, various sustainability assessment schemes such as emergy analysis, techno-economic analysis, life cycle assessment, energy accounting, and exergy analysis and its extensions (exergoeconomic, exergoenvironmental, and exergoeconoenvironmental analyses) are being employed increasingly for decision-making on biofuel production and consumption systems. In this opinion paper, after classifying and describing biofuel generations, the developed sustainability assessment tools are critically explained, and their pros and cons are discussed. Overall, among the various sustainability assessment approaches introduced so far, exergy-based methods appear to be the most promising tools for developing sustainable biofuel systems. This can be attributed to the fact that the exergy concept is deeply rooted in the well-defined principles of thermodynamics

Improving exergetic performance parameters of a rotating-tray air dryer via a simple heat exchanger

In this study, exergy analysis was applied for a rotating-tray dryer equipped with a cross-flow plate heat exchanger during drying of apple slices. Three drying air temperatures and tray rotation speeds in the range of 50-80°C and 0-12 rpm, respectively, were employed. Two drying air velocities in the range of 1-2 m/s were adjusted for each drying temperature and rotation speed with and without application of the heat exchanger. The experiments were conducted to assess the effects of the experimental variables on the exergetic performance parameters of the dryer. Also, the effect of drying conditions on the quality of dried apple slices was assessed by determining rehydration ratio, apparent density, shrinkage, and surface color. In general, the exergetic performance parameters of the dryer depended profoundly on the drying air temperature and velocity. Interestingly, the exergetic efficiency of drying process was significantly improved from a minimum value of 23.0% to a maximum value of 96.1% by using the heat exchanger. Furthermore, the incorporation of heat exchanger did not negatively affect the quality of dried product. Therefore, the strategy presented herein could be a promising approach for waste energy recovery in drying without any unfavorable change in the quality of dried product